Smoking is prohibited in any indoor enclosed work area occupied
by more than one person, unless all employees in such area agree to
allow smoking. The rights of a nonsmoker to a smoke-free work area
shall prevail.

Conflicts should be brought to the attention of the appropriate
supervisory personnel. Employees may also file a formal complaint
with the Warren County Health Service Department, which has the sole
jurisdiction to enforce the new law on a countywide basis.

It is the
intent of the City of Glens Falls, as an exercise of its police power,
to promote the general health, safety and welfare of the residents
of the city by enacting this chapter. The City of Glens Falls Common
Council finds that scientific studies have proven that cigarette smoking,
cigar smoking or the smoking of other tobacco products causes chronic
lung disease, coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer of the lungs,
larynx, esophagus, mouth, bladder and contributes to cancer of the
cervix, pancreas and kidneys. More than 440,000 people die in the
United States from tobacco-related diseases every year, making it
the nation’s leading cause of preventable illness. Furthermore,
a number of studies have indicated that exposure to outdoor tobacco
smoke is similar to the levels of exposure to indoor levels of secondhand
smoke. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has found
secondhand smoke to be a risk to public health and has classified
secondhand smoke as a Group A carcinogen. Exposure to secondhand smoke
is the third leading cause of preventable death in this country. In
addition to the health impact, outdoor smoking results in significant
amount of litter from cigarettes, cigarette filters, tobacco packaging
and wrappers, which can be costly to both the environment and municipalities.

The City
of Glens Falls Common Council further finds that smoking in outdoor
public areas makes it difficult to pass through because of individuals
smoking and the clouds of smoke that fill the air. It has become unsightly
as cigarette butts, filters, and tobacco packaging are thrown on the
ground, causing a litter problem in public areas.